STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Rev. Dr. Claude A. Knight, 77, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., the former pastor of Vanderbilt Avenue Moravian Church, Clifton, a beloved clergyman and dedicated community activist who touched the lives of many with his spirituality, good works and role modeling, died Friday in Regional Medical Center, Wellington, Fla.

Born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, he received his bachelor’s degree in seminary studies and his master of divinity degree from the University College of the West Indies. He was ordained a minister in the Conference of the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas and served several churches in the Eastern Caribbean before coming to the United States to pursue graduate studies.

Rev. Knight received his master of systematic theology degree in 1976 from the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, and served for three years as pastor of Fairview United Methodist Church in that city. He then was pastor of Redeemer Moravian Church in Philadelphia for nine years.

He became pastor of the Clifton congregation in 1987 and once on Staten Island, he became a champion of those in need.

Rev. Knight was one of the first members of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity’s Staten Island chapter. He served on the board of You Participate in Solutions (YPIS), and chaired Community Change for Youth Development, a group that aimed to improve future prospects for low-income young people. He was instrumental in organizing “Project Intervention,” which offered an alternative to jail for youngsters indicted on drug charges.

A strong supporter of the ecumenical movement, he was elected to three consecutive terms as president of the Staten Island Council of Churches and was honored by the New York City Council of Churches for his contributions.

He was instrumental in organizing a committee to dispel racial tensions at New Dorp High School, and invited teachers to visit his church and meet with parents of the North Shore students who were being bused to that East Shore school.

Rev. Knight was a member of the executive board of directors for Moravian Open Door, a ministry to the homeless in Manhattan, and served as its president for two years.

“There are few people who could have made such a significant impact on a community in what felt like a lifetime of service ... Rev. Dr. Claude A. Knight made a difference in the lives of so many islanders,” said Greg Coil, vice president of operations of the YMCA of Greater New York. “He was the kind of person who united communities that were once divided, often by simply showing up, demonstrating compassion, and spreading his sincere thoughts of care and kindness.”

In 1990, under Rev. Knight’s leadership, a new structure was erected on the church grounds, dedicated to both church activities and the North Shore Center for the YMCA Counseling Service, which helps substance abusers deal with addiction.

It also houses events related to the New American Immigration Center, which serves a sizable immigrant community.

Rev. Knight also championed the cause of the borough’s neediest -- the homeless.

“He was a humble, gracious disciple of Christ, who lived to the fullest Jesus’ gospel and mission to the poor in need,” said the Rev. Terry Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality.

“He was a humble giant with a huge heart who left his footprints on the Island. His legacy of doing the most good for the most people in the most need will live on in the hearts and minds of many Staten Islanders for many years,” said Al Curtis, former president of the Staten Island NAACP.

Rev. Knight retired in 2004, moving to West Palm Beach in the same year.

In his leisure, he enjoyed a good political debate, reading and volunteering at Bible Study.

His wife of 46 years, the former Edna Yates, died in 2012.

Surviving are his sons, Claude Jr. and Wayne; his daughter, Andrea Biggs; a brother, Edmond, and four grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. in United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Fla. Arrangements, including cremation, are being handled by the Quattlebaum Funeral Home, also West Palm Beach.